DELAYED-HYPERSENSITIVITY SKIN TESTING IN CHILEAN YOUNG-ADULTS

Delayed hypersensitivity skin test are widely accepted as in vivo meas ure of cellular immunity. Since genetic and enviromental factors may a ffect these tests, each population must establish its own normal value s. The aim of this work was to study delayed hypersensitivity in Chile an normal young adults. We studied the response to eight antigens usin g the Multitest CMI (Rhodia Merieux) in 50 students (22 females, 28 ma les), aged 18 to 25 years old. Skin tests were read at 24, 48 and 72 h ours. At 48 Hours, 60% of women responded to 3 and 68% of men to 4 ant igens. A mean response to 3.6 antigens was observed. Total score in me n and women were 19.5 +/- 7.3 and 12.2 +/- 6.5 mm respectively (p < 0. 05). These figures are diferent from those published abroad and confir m the need for national standars.